Cash for Containers substitute fails to lure recyclers

Cash for Containers was ruled illegal in a Federal Court challenge from Coca Cola Amatil this week, and refunds for cans and bottles will now cease after March 18.

The Food and Grocery Council opposed the scheme before it was canned, calling it an unwanted tax on Territorians.

This week they announced a $5m industry-funded Bin NT Network which will centre on curbside recycling and fund new curbside recycling schemes in Katherine and Alice Springs.

It is the industry alternative to the Cash for Containers scheme, but requires investment from local government for the processing and management.

The Food and Grocery Council's Jenny Pickles told Vicki Kerrigan on 105.7 Drive the bin network would address all forms of recycling, not just cans and bottles.

"The reality is this is about providing a comprehensive recycling solution that addresses all packaging not just beverages," Ms Pickles said.

She said the Cash for Containers scheme failed because it increased charges on Territorians through beverage prices and "all it did was remove a whole lot of cans and bottles from our curbside recycling scheme".

The new scheme will also fund local community groups to clean up all recyclable materials, but has yet to receive the support of local government and community groups.

Katherine Mayor Fay Miller said she was deeply disappointed in the Federal Court's ruling, saying Katherine had been markedly cleaner since the introduction of the Cash for Containers scheme.

Independent MP Gerry Wood said the Food and Grocery Council's proposed scheme was basically a litter initiative with a "minor-fallout for recycling".

He called it a miserable attempt by the industry to put up obstacles to stop the introduction of Cash for Containers nationally.

"The body that has to pick up the bin and sort materials are local councils funded by the consumer certainly not the industry," he said.

Howard Springs resident and 105.7 talkback caller Wendy said she was a big supporter of the Cash for Containers scheme, and had bought three new bins to collect containers.

She said it would not be worth her while to drive to a processing centre in Palmerston or Darwin without the incentive of a ten cent per container deposit.

"At least with the Cash for Containers I was able to collect money for recycling and I felt good about doing my work recycling," she said.

But Ms Pickles said Territorians were ignoring the fact that beverage prices increased as a result of the Cash for Containers scheme.

"One thing I can't hear from Territorians is they haven't even mentioned the fact they're paying more for their bottles and cans, it's sort of like they've inherited this money from nowhere," she said.

"The reality is people were paying up to 20 cents more per container and only getting ten cents back.

"Now that doesn't sound like a very good deal, particularly when the bulk of them, in Palmerston and Darwin were already recycling in their curbside bins."